Modular Scissors Bridge, Placement Device and Method of Placing Modular Scissors Bridges

ABSTRACT

A foldable modular scissors bridge adapted to be transported by a transport vehicle in a folded-together state and comprising two bridge modules, each formed by one or two pairs of spaced-apart track supports. Run-up ramps disposed at opposite ends of each bridge support are rigidly connected to their bridge supports. A respective ramp end tube, in the form of a hinge part, is disposed at each tip of the run-up ramps. A respective coupling tongue is disposed on each run-up ramp at a distance from the tip thereof. The coupling tongue of the upper bridge module forms an articulated joint with the ramp end tube of the lower bridge module.

The present invention relates to a foldable modular scissors bridge that in a folded-together state can be transported by a transport vehicle, and which is comprised of two bridge modules, each of which is formed by a pair or by two pairs of spaced-apart track supports, whereby the track supports of each pair of track supports can be connected to one another by track rods, and whereby the bridge modules are provided with run-up ramps at both ends.

The present invention furthermore relates to an installation, setting or placement device, and to a method of setting or placing modular scissors bridges.

Scissors bridges of the aforementioned type are brought to their location of use in the folded-together or collapsed state by a transport vehicle, and are there unfolded and deposited by means of a placement device that is located on the transport vehicle. The upper sides of the two bridge modules are embodied as tracks or similar travel surfaces for those vehicles for which the scissors bridge is designed.

With one known scissors bridge, which is designated as a foldable, transportable bridge, two bridge modules are provided that are designated as bridge sections and which are coupled to one another at their ends via hinges whereby the hinges enable the scissors bridge to be folded together and to be unfolded (DE 689 08 893 T2). In this connection, one of the ends of each bridge section is provided with a run-up ramp, while the two other ends of the two bridge sections are pivotably interconnected by a joint that is disposed in the lower chord region. Such scissors bridges are easy to manufacture; they are sturdy and can be placed by technically simple placement devices. However, these bridges have the drawback that when short obstacle widths are encountered, the two bridge sections thereof cannot be used individually as short bridges. That means that even for small obstacles, it is always necessary to place both of the coupled-together bridge sections, and to use them only in this manner.

A considerable improvement was achieved by a different modular scissors bridge where the bridge modules were embodied in such a way that they could be used not only individually as short bridges (for small obstacle widths) but also—in the coupled together state—as long two-modular bridges (ER 0 356 561 B1). With this known scissors bridge, each bridge module is embodied as a short bridge, both ends of which are provided with run-up ramps. One of the run-up ramps is rigid, and the other run-up ramp is pivotably connected with the bridge module, so that the two bridge modules, after pivoting up of the bridge-centered run-up ramps that are movable due to the hinged mounting, can be connected in such a way that in the coupled state, a planar bridge deck results. Since these known scissors bridges involve short and extremely light bridges having little carrying capacity, the short bridges can still be placed manually. For longer bridges, formed by both bridge modules, auxiliary mounting or assembly means must be available due to the greater overall weight. Furthermore, additional preparation work is necessary, for example pivoting of the movable run-up ramp into the coupling position. For bridges having a greater carrying capacity and a larger span width, accompanied by greater construction weight, at the present time no solutions exist that make it possible to place, with a placement device, two bridge modules that form a scissors bridge and are usable as short bridges. Known is only a scissors bridge system with which foldable scissors bridges and also individual short bridges that cannot be coupled can be transported and deposited as double packages, whereby after being deposited the double package is separated (Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics, 1995-96).

It is an object of the present invention to improve the aforementioned scissors bridge that is known from EP 0 356 561 B1 in such a way that its economical or commercial use is also possible with required higher carrying capacity and greater span width, and correspondingly greater construction weight, not only with single but also with two-modular manner of placement.

With a modular scissors bridge of the aforementioned general type, the realization of this object is comprised in that

-   -   all of the run-up ramps of both bridge modules are rigidly         connected with the bridge,     -   the tip of each run-up ramp is provided with a ramp end tube         that is embodied as a hinge part,     -   each run-up ramp is provided, at a distance from its tip, with a         coupling tongue,     -   the coupling tongue of the upper bridge module forms an         articulated joint with the ramp end tube, which is in the form         of a hinge part, of the lower bridge module.

By coupling the two bridge modules, by means of the inventive articulated connection and the thereby resulting overlapping of the run-up ramps of each of the two bridge modules, a particularly rigid or resistant to bending connection results between the two bridge modules. The scissors bridge can thereby also be used for crossing or spanning greater obstacle widths.

Pursuant to one embodiment of the invention, in the transport state also the coupling tongue of the lower bridge module is hingedly connected with the ramp end tube, which is in the form of a hinge part, of the upper bridge module, whereby this hinged or articulated joint serves as a transport securement that protects against raising or lifting-off of the upper bridge module. This ensures a safe and reliable transport of the scissors bridge.

The inventive scissors bridge can be improved still further if each articulated joint can be locked by means of a coupling bolt that is connected to a coupling cable by means of a tension spring, whereby this cable is actuated by the device for the placement of the scissors bridge via the coupling levers that are disposed on the bridge modules. As a result, the coupling points of the two bridge modules can be mechanically actuated by the placement device.

Pursuant to a further improvement of the inventive scissors bridge, a lower line can be provided between the two bridge modules, the ends of which are secured to the underside of a respective one of the two bridge modules, and the line is guided through the loop of a support cable that is suspended in the articulated joint between the two bridge modules. The carrying capacity of the scissors bridge is increased by the lower line.

For placement of modular scissors bridges of the aforementioned type a placement device is advantageously used that, pursuant to the invention, is provided with an adapter frame that can be connected to the transport vehicle and that includes a support arm, a support cylinder, a placement arm, and a placement arm cylinder. The adapter frame, as a universal split-off relative to the transport vehicle, makes it possible to adapt the placement device to different transport vehicles. In the case of shipment per aircraft, a rapid assembly and disassembly of the placement device is possible.

The inventive placement device can be improved by disposing the device for actuation of the coupling cable of the coupling device of the articulation joint in the placement arm of the placement device. This facilitates the actuation of the coupling cable for the coupling or uncoupling of the articulation joint between the two bridge modules.

For the placement of modular scissors bridges of the type under discussion, pursuant to a further embodiment of the invention a method is used according to which

-   -   the transport vehicle is parked or stopped at such a distance         from the obstacle that the forward part of the placement device         is disposed just short of or behind the obstacle,     -   by actuating the support cylinder, the support arm is deposited         on the ground so that on the one hand a tipping point is         provided for the scissors bridge, and on the other hand the         transport vehicle is secured in position, whereby during the         placement of the scissors bridge the transport vehicle serves as         a counterweight,     -   by actuating the placement arm cylinder, the placement arm is         pivoted forwardly in a direction toward the obstacle, whereby         the scissors bridge first automatically opens and during further         extension of the placement arm cylinder a deployment cable         becomes taut, one end of which is secured to the adapter frame         of the placement device and the other end of which is secured to         the tip of the upper bridge module, and thus the now forward         bridge module is forced into the nearly horizontal position of         use.

This method, in conjunction with the inventive placement device, ensures a reliable placement of a modular scissors bridge in a manner free of disruption.

During the placement of modular scissors bridges of the type under discussion, whereby the individual bridge modules are placed as short bridges, pursuant to another feature of the invention a method is used according to which

-   -   the transport vehicle is parked or stopped at such a distance         from or in front of the obstacle that a distance remains between         the forward part of the placement device and the obstacle that         is greater than the length of a bridge module,     -   by actuating the support cylinder, the support arm is deposited         on the ground, so that on the one hand a tipping point is         provided for the scissors bridge and on the other hand the         transport vehicle is secured in position, whereby during         placement of the scissors bridge the transport vehicle serves as         a counterweight,     -   by actuating the placement arm cylinder the placement arm is         pivoted forwardly in a direction toward the obstacle, whereby         the scissors bridge first automatically opens and during further         extension of the placement arm cylinder a deployment cable         becomes taut, one end of which is secured to the adapter frame         of the placement device and the other end of which is secured to         the tip of the upper bridge module, and thus the now forward         bridge module is forced into the nearly horizontal position of         use,     -   the deployment cable is removed and the articulation joint         between the two modules is released,     -   the transport vehicle is backed away to such an extent that the         forward bridge module no longer rests upon the rear bridge         module,     -   by actuating the placement arm cylinder, the placement arm         raises the remaining bridge module, so that this bridge module         can be received by the transport vehicle in order to be used at         a different site.

In conjunction with the inventive placement device, this method ensures a reliable placement of the bridge in a manner free of disruption, even with scissors bridges where the individual bridge modules are placed as short bridges.

The present invention will be explained in greater detail with the aid of several embodiments that are illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1: is a side view of a scissors bridge that is comprised of two bridge modules and is in the folded-together state on a transport vehicle that is provided with a placement device;

FIG. 2: is a side view of an individual bridge module,

FIG. 3: is a plan view of the bridge module illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4: shows the tip of a run-up ramp of a bridge module in a section through the ramp end tube that is provided there, whereby a coupling bolt that is present there is in the normal position;

FIG. 5: shows the tip of a run-up ramp illustrated in FIG. 4 in a section corresponding to that of FIG. 4, whereby the coupling bolt is in the coupling position;

FIG. 6: is a side view of a further bridge module in a somewhat larger scale;

FIG. 7: shows details in the region of the run-up ramp, in a larger scale, whereby a coupling tongue is illustrated in the retracted state;

FIG. 8: shows the tip of a run-up ramp illustrated in FIG. 7, whereby the coupling tongue is illustrated in the extended state;

FIG. 9: is a side view of the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the raising of the scissors bridge;

FIG. 10: shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 after the deposit of the support arm of the placement device;

FIG. 11: shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the placement of the scissors bridge via the placement device, again in a side view;

FIG. 12: shows a transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 after the placement of the scissors bridge via the placement device, again in a side view;

FIG. 13 shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the placement of the individual bridge modules of a scissors bridge as short bridges, after the placement of the forward bridge module on the opposite side of the obstacle that is to be crossed or spanned;

FIG. 14 shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the placement of the individual bridge modules of a scissors bridge as short bridges after the release of the articulation joint that connects the two bridge modules, and after the removal of the deployment cable as well as after backing the transport vehicle away from the obstacle;

FIG. 15 shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during placement of the individual bridge modules of a scissors bridge as short bridges, after lowering of the rear bridge module;

FIG. 16 shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the placement of the individual bridge modules of a scissors bridge as short bridges, during the placement of the remaining bridge module on the opposite side of the obstacle;

FIG. 17 shows the transport vehicle, having a placement device, illustrated in FIG. 1 during the placement of the individual bridge modules of a scissors bridge as short bridges, after the placement of the remaining bridge module on the opposite side of the obstacle.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows a transport vehicle 1 on which is disposed a scissors bridge 2 that is comprised of two bridge modules and is in the folded-together or collapsed state. An installation, setting, or placement device 3 is provided in the forward region of the transport vehicle 1. The upper bridge module 4 and the lower bridge module 4′ of the scissors bridge 1 are connected to one another by hinge connections or articulated joints 5 and 5′. The articulated joint 5′ actually serves only as a transport securing means to prevent the bridge module 4, which is the upper bridge module in the transport state, from lifting off.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper bridge module 4 is formed from a pair of track carriers or supports 6, which are interconnected by track support rods 7. Both ends of the linear central portion 8 of the bridge module 4 are provided with run-up ramps 9, the tips of which are provided with a ramp end tube 10 embodied as a hinge part. Each run-up ramp 9, at a distance from its tip, is provided with a coupling tongue 11, 11′. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the coupling tongues 11 is shown in an extended position, and the other coupling tongue 11′ is shown in a retracted position. The lower bridge module 4′ has a corresponding configuration.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the tip of one of the run-up ramps 9 of the bridge module 4 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and also show the ramp end tube that is provided at the tip. Disposed in the ramp end tube 10, at each side, is a coupling bolt 12 that is connected to a coupling cable 14 via a tension spring 13. By actuating the coupling cable 14, the coupling bolts 12 can be brought into the normal position (FIG. 4) or into the coupling position (FIG. 5). In the normal position, the receiving slot is closed, whereas in the coupling position the receiving slot 15 is open and is free to receive the coupling tongue 11, 11′ (see FIG. 2).

From the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the ends of the coupling cable 14 (FIGS. 4 and 5) that exit the ramp end tube 10 are secured to coupling levers 16, by means of which, and by means of the coupling cable 14, actuation of the coupling devices of the articulated joints 5 and 5′ (FIG. 1) is effected. Upon actuation of the coupling levers 16, by means of the coupling cable 14 the coupling bolts 12 are drawn into the coupling position (see FIG. 5). In this connection, the tension springs 13 are biased, and after release of the coupling levers 16 bring the coupling bolts 12 into the normal position (see FIG. 4).

The function of the coupling tongues 11, 11′ (FIG. 2) can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 8. In this connection, FIG. 7 shows the coupling tongue 11 in the retracted position, and FIG. 8 shows the coupling tongue 11 in the extended position, in other words in the coupling position. The coupling tongues 11, 11′ are preferably each comprised of a sheets metal strip having a transverse piece 17Z whereby the steel sheet-metal strip is provided with a slot. For the guidance of the coupling tongues 11, 11′ in the lower region, a receiving bolt 18 is provided that is guided through the slot and is mounted in the bridge module 4, the coupling tongues 11, 11′ are guided in their upper region by a tongue chute 19 in which the transverse piece 17 glides in order to prevent a rotation about the receiving bolt 18. In the transport state, the coupling tongues 11, 11′ are retracted in the region in which the undersides of the bridge modules 4, 4 rest on one another (see FIG. 1). A similar situation exists for each coupling tongue 11, 11 that is disposed in the region of the supports when the bridge modules 4, 4 are in place. In this connection, tension springs 20 that are secured to the transverse piece 17 are tensioned to ensure that the coupling tongues 11, 11′ are again extended into the coupling position for the coupling process.

The placement process during setting or placing of a two-modular scissors bridge is illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12.

FIG. 9 shows the transport vehicle 1 with the scissors bridge 2 (FIG. 1) disposed thereon after the obstacle that is to be crossed is approached and the support cylinder 21 of the placement device 3 has been actuated. By actuating the support cylinder 21 the support arm 22 is pivoted toward the front, thereby raising the scissors bridge 3, which is comprised of the two bridge modules 4 and 4; that are connected to one another by the articulated joint 5, from the transport vehicle 1. Prior to actuation of the support cylinder 21 of the placement device 3, the articulated joint 5′, which serves as a transport securement or protection, is released by means of the pertaining coupling lever 16 (see FIG. 6).

The placement device 3 is connected to the transport vehicle 1 via an adapter frame 23. The adapter frame 23 is secured to the transport vehicle 1 by bolt connections 24. An unfolding or deployment cable 25 is disposed between the adapter frame 23 and the rear tip of the upper bridge module 4.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the support cylinder 21 has been extended to such an extent that the support arm 22 rests upon the ground. The transport vehicle 1 thereby forms the counterweight for the further steps of the placement process. In this connection, the tipping point is the point of support of the support arm 22 upon the ground. Transport vehicle 1, support arm 22 and support cylinder 21 thereby form a unit that is resistant to bending. Due to the extension of the support cylinder 21, the two bridge modules 4 and 4 automatically opened.

A further step of the placement process can be seen from FIG. 11. By actuating the placement arm cylinder 26, the placement arm 27 is pivoted out toward the front in the direction of the obstacle, whereby the bridge modules 4 and 4′ have automatically opened even further, so that finally the deployment cable 25 has become taut. With this embodiment, a lower line 28 is provided, the ends of which are secured to the undersides of the bridge modules 4 and 4′, and in particular one of the two ends is secured to the forward tip of the bridge module 4 and the other end to the in the illustrated position rear tip of the bridge module 4′. In this connection, the lower line 28 is disposed in the loop of a support cable 29 that is suspended in the articulated joint 5. The ends of the lower line 28 could also be secured to the coupling tongues 11, 11′. In this case, the lower line 28 would be somewhat shorter.

Upon further extension of the placement arm cylinder 26, the taut deployment cable 25 forces the bridge module 4 into the nearly horizontal position of use, as can be seen from FIG. 12. In this connection, due to the coupled connection and the overlapping abutment of the two run-up ramps 9 of the bridge modules 4 and 4′ in the region of the middle of the bridge, an arched support structure having the height of the arch 30 has been formed. The lower line 28 is now taut, and the support cable 29, the length of which in this case corresponds to the magnitude of the height of the arch 30, is disposed in the region of the height of the arch 30.

The placement process for placing the individual bridge modules 4, 4′ as short bridges is shown in FIGS. 13 to 17. Here the placement process first proceeds similar to the placement of a two-module bridge.

As shown in FIG. 13, in this connection the forward bridge module 4 is placed in such a way that it comes to rest over the obstacle that is to be crossed. In this position the articulated joint 5 is released by actuating the coupling lever 16 (see FIG. 6) by means of a mechanism, for example a hydraulic cylinder, disposed in the placement arm 27 (FIG. 11), so that the coupling bolts 12 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are pulled out of the position “closed” (normal position) and into the position “open” (coupling position), thereby releasing the coupling tongues 11 (see FIG. 2) in the bridge module 4′.

From FIGS. 14 and 15, it can be seen that after the release of the deployment cable 25, and after the transport vehicle has been backed up, the two bridge modules 4 and 4′ are separated from one another.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the picking-up and placement respectively of the remaining bridge module 4′ at another location. 

1-8. (canceled)
 9. A foldable modular scissors bridge that in a folded-together state is adapted to be transported by a transport vehicle (1), comprising: two bridge modules (4, 4′), each of which is formed by at least one pair of spaced-apart track supports (6) that are adapted to be connected to one another by rods (7); respective run-up ramps (9) disposed at opposite ends of each of said bridge modules (4, 4′), wherein each of said run-up ramps (9) is rigidly connected to its bridge module, and wherein each of said run-up ramps (9) has a tip remote from its connection to said bridge modules (4, 4); a respective ramp end tube (10), in the form of a hinge part, disposed at each tip of said run-up ramps (9); and a respective coupling tongue (11, 11′) disposed on each of said run-up ramps (9) spaced from said tip thereof, wherein a coupling tongue (11) of an upper one (4) of said bridge modules is adapted to form an articulated joint (5) with one of said ramp end tubes (10) of a lower one (4′) of said bridge modules.
 10. A modular scissors bridge according to claim 9, wherein in a transport state, also a coupling tongue (11) of said lower bridge module (4′) is hingedly connected with said ramp end tube (10) of said upper bridge module (4) and wherein such hinged connection or articulated joint (5′) serves as a transport securement to prevent lifting-off of said upper bridge module (4).
 11. A modular scissors bridge according to claim 10, wherein each articulated joint (5, 5′) is adapted to be locked by means of a coupling bolt (12) that is connected to a coupling cable (14) via a tension spring (13), and wherein said coupling cable (14) is adapted to be actuated by a device for placing said scissors bridge via coupling levers (16) disposed on said bridge modules (4, 4′).
 12. A modular scissors bridge according to claim 9, wherein a lower wire (28) is provided between said two bridge modules (4, 4′), wherein ends of said lower wire (28) are secured to an underside of a respective one of said two bridge modules (4, 4′), and wherein said lower wire (28) is guided through a loop of a support cable (29) that is suspended in said articulated joint (5) between the two bridge modules (4, 4′).
 13. A placement device for placing the modular scissors bridge of claim 9, comprising an adapter frame (23) that is adapted to be connected to the transport vehicle (1) and that includes a support arm (22), a support cylinder (21), a placement arm (27) and a placement arm cylinder (26).
 14. A placement device according to claim 13, wherein a mechanism for actuating a coupling cable (14) of a coupling device for said articulated joint (5, 5′) is disposed in said placement arm (27) of the placement device.
 15. A method for placing the scissors bridge of claim 9 by means of the placement device of claim 13, including the steps of: parking the transport vehicle (1) at such a distance from an obstacle that a forward part of said placement device (3) is disposed just behind the obstacle; actuating said support cylinder (21) to deposit said support arm (22) on the ground to provide a tipping point for said scissors bridge (2) and to secure the transport vehicle (1) in position, wherein the transport vehicle serves as a counterweight during placement of said scissors bridge; and actuating said placement arm cylinder (26) to pivot said placement arm (27) forwardly toward the obstacle, whereby said scissors bridge first automatically opens and during further extension of said placement arm cylinder (26) a deployment cable (25) becomes taut, wherein one end of said deployment cable is secured to said adapter frame (23) and another end of said deployment cable is secured to the tip of one of said run-up ramps (9) of said bridge modules (4, 4′), and wherein a now forward one (4) of said bridge modules is thus forced into a nearly horizontal position of use.
 16. A method of placing the scissors bridge of claim 9, as short bridges, by means of the placement device of claim 13, including the steps of: parking the transport vehicle (1) at such a distance from an obstacle that a distance remains between a forward part of said placement device (3) and the obstacle that is greater than a length of one of said bridge modules (4, 4′); actuating said support cylinder (21) to deposit said support arm (22) on the ground to provide a tipping point for said scissors bridge (2) and to secure the transport vehicle (1) in position, wherein the transport vehicle serves as a counterweight during placement of said scissors bridge, actuating said placement arm cylinder (26) to pivot said placement arm (27) forwardly toward the obstacle, whereby said scissors bridge first automatically opens and during further extension of said placement arm cylinder (26) a deployment cable (25) becomes taut, wherein one end of said securement cable is secured to said adapter frame (23) and another end of said deployment cable is secured to the tip of one of said run-up ramps of said bridge modules (4, 4′), and wherein a now forward one (4) of said bridge modules is thus forced into a nearly horizontal position of use; removing said deployment cable (25); releasing said articulated joint (5) between said two bridge modules (4, 4′); backing the transport vehicle (1) away from the obstacle to such an extent that the forward bridge module (4) no longer rests on the lower or rear bridge module (4, 4′); and actuating said placement arm cylinder (26) such that said placement arm (27) raises the remaining, rear bridge module (4′), so that this rear bridge module is adapted to be received by the transport vehicle (1) for use at a different site. 